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Although looked down upon by cricket purists, The Hundred – a format in which each team bowls just 100 balls a match – has become a hit with families and younger fans since its launch in 2021.
Since September last year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (which owns a 49 per cent stake in each team) has been seeking private investment in individual franchises, hoping to raise over £300 million.
Google’s Sundar Pichai wants in.
He’s reportedly part of a consortium which has bid £80 million for one of the two London-based teams – the London Spirit and the Oval Invincibles (both Hundred title-winners).
The consortium includes chiefs at Adobe and Microsoft too, both of whom have stakes in American cricket.
With player drafts, half time music shows and distinctly American-sounding team names, it’s little wonder The Hundred appears like familiar and fertile ground for a new operation.
